Detergent dispenser for washing machines



FIG. 3

FIG. 1

vnvvxarvmm KLAuDIUs PATzELT KARL LENGSFELD f/ Q14/ 77M Dec. 8, 1964 K.PATzELT ETAL DETERGENT DISPENSER FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed MaIGh 6,1963 s claims. (Cl. zzz-s4) This invention relates to a detergentdispenser for washing machines.

Detergent dispensers of the prior art are either of the hand-actuatedtype or are tied in with a programming system controlling the workingcycle of ythe machine, or are known to be actuated by a separateprogramming device. The detergent or like agent may be powdered,pelletized, or a liquid.

It is to be understood that the term detergent is meant to include alarge variety of chemical-action or scrubbing agents generallyintroduced into washing machines, and the term washing machine is meantto include clothes washing machines, dish washing machines and the like.

The hand-actuated known dispensers serve mainly for introducing apredetermined quantity of the detergent into the washing machine at thebeginning of the process. The automatically program-actuated devices areadapted to add the detergent at a predetermined time during a givencycle to the washing liquid in the machine. All vof these devices aretechnically complicated and expensive since they call for mechanical orelectromagnetic control means.

Accordingly, the main object of this invention is to provide arelatively simple device, for adding a detergent to a washing machineduring the operation thereof.

The above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by anarrangement in which a bimetal strip is so connected to a retainingdevice on the detergent holder that when the washing liquid reaches apredetermined temperature, the bimetal strip moves due to the action ofheat, releases the detergent holder and permits the detergent to beemptied into the interior of the washing machine. This ensures in a verysimple and foolproof manner that the detergent to be used in thecleaning process is added to the washing liquid atvthe correct part ofthe cycle, i.e. when the hot washing process begins. The device of theinvention is, therefore, independent of the programming device that maybe provided in the machine tor controlling the operation thereof, andthe dispenser automatically performs its function when the washingliquid is of a given desired temperature.

The device of the invention may be a separate unit removable from thewashing machine, or, alternatively, it may be permanently attached tothe interior of the machine at a point which is readily accessible whenkthe door ofthe machine is open.

Further features and advantages of the invention are to become apparentfrom the following detailed description, wherein reference is being hadto the appended drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention,the dispenser being provided with a lid, the dispenser being removablefrom the machine;

FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention, thedispenser being adapted to be firmly mounted within the machine; and

vUnited States Patent O yFIG. 3 is a rear view taken in the direction ofthe line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

a detergent dispenser of the invention is to be used, since suchmachines are conventional and well known.

In FIG. l a removable detergent dispenser 6 is shown within the interiorof a fragmentarily shown washing machine housing 8. Within the housing 8a fragmentarily shown rack `10 is disposed, for instance, suchas may beused in dishwashing machines for holding the dishes to be washed (notshown) in a desired position. The removable dispenser 6 is hung from theedge of the rack 10 by means of a hook 12. Attached to the hook 12 bymeans of a screw 14,are parallel disposed llat strips 16 and 18. Thestrips 16 and 18 are attached to the hook 12 and to each other only atone end, the

other parts throughout the length of the strips beingV merely freelydisposed adjacent each other. The strip 16 is a bimetal strip, adaptedto bend away from the adjacent strip 18 under the iniiuence of risingtemperature, as shown by the broken line in FIG. l.

Attached to the lower end of the strip 1S is a detergent container 24),with its opening facing downward. If desired, the container may be of asize corresponding to the volume of detergent used for one washingcycle. A lid 22 is pivotally attached from the container 20 at 24, sothat when the lid is not held against the container, the lid swingsfreely open, as indicated by the broken line showing.

The lower end of the bimetal strip 16 is provided with a projection 26adapted to engage a protrudingnose portion 28 of the lid 22 so as tomaintain therlid inthe closed position.

In operation, the dispenser 6 may be removed from the machine with aview to be iilled with a detergent;

subsequently the lid 22 is closed by causing the projec.

tion 26 to engage the nose portion 28 to maintain the lid in the closedposition. The dispenser 6 is reversed, so that the opening of thecontainer 20 faces downward and then the dispenser is disposed withinthe washing machine 8 by hanging it onto the edge of the rack 10 by thehook v12. Subsequently the machine is set into operation. When lthewater within the washing machine is of a suitable temperature, thebimetal strip 16 responds to the given temperature and bends into theposition indicated by the broken line in FIG. l, whereby the projection26 releases the nose portion 28 and the lid freely swings open downwardabout the pivot 24 into the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 1.The detergent is discharged from thecontainer 2t) into the wash ingliquid, and the washing operation can commence.

If desired, the mounting strip 18 may be also constructed from a bimetaland disposed so as to bend together with the container 20 in theopposite direction than the strip 16, whereby a more positive removal ofthe projection 26 from the nose portion 28 can be accomplished.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 a detergent dispenser 30 is shown mounted firmly to ahousing 38 of a washing machine by a mounting bracket 40. The mountingbracket 40 is formed with a pivot mount 42 having a pivot 44 therein.The pivot 44 in turn engages a lug 46 attached to the bottom of adetergent container 48. The container 48 is open at the top and isadapted to pivot downward into the position shown by the broken line inFIG. 2.

To the bottom end of the mounting bracket 40 a bimetal strip 50 isattached by means of a rivet 52 or the like. Attached to the side of thecontainer 48 facing the housing 38 of the washing machine, when thecontainer is in the upright position, is a retainer hook 54, adapted tobe engaged by a narrower top portion 56 'of the bimetal strip 50,whereby the container 48 is maintained in the upright, solid-lineposition.

As the washing liquid within the machine reaches a predeterminedtemperature, the strip 50 bends sideways,

Patented Dec. 8, 1964 Y 3 as indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3, andreleases the retainer hook 54, whereby 'the container A4'8 spillsforward into the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2 anddumps its contents into the washing liquid.

The mounting bracket 40 mayalso consist of a birnetal 'strip adapted -tobend in the opposite direction than the strip 50, whereby a morepositive disengagement Ycan be provided between the strip y50 and theretainer forming a part of said detergent holder means for selec-Vtively maintaining the detergent in said holder, and bimetal strip meansselectively engaging said retainer for releasing said retainer when thewashing liquid inthe machine has reached a predetermined temperature,said bimetal strip means including two Abimetal strips in the form ofthin flat members with their wide sides in contact with one another,said strips being commonly mounted at one end thereof, the ends of saidstrips opposite to the mount- 'ed ends being arranged to move apart fromone another when exposed to a preselected temperature, said holder meansbeing arranged on the free end of one of said bime'tal strips and thefree lend 'of the other bi'metal strip being arranged to engage saidretainer.

2. A Vdispenser for introducing a detergent into the washing liquid of awashing'machine, comprising a ldetergent hol'der, a lid pivotallyattached from said detergent holder, irst andse'cond elongated stripsdisposed in a substantially parallel relationship and mounted commonlyat one end thereof, :said first strip being a bimetal strip, meansmounting vthe container from the end `of Vsaid second strip oppositesaid common mounting withthe lid facing in the direction opposite saidcommon mounting, said lid having an extending portion adapted to beselectively restrained from pivoting by said rst strip.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said sec- 0nd strip is abimetal strip adapted to bend upon the application of heat thereto in adirection substantially opposite to the bending direction of said rststrip.

4. A container -according to claim 2 including means disposedsubstantially adjacent the common mounting of said iirst and secondstrips, for removably attaching the container to the washing machine.

5. A container for introducing a detergent into the washing liquid of awashing machine, comprising a detergent'holder pivotally mounted fromthe machine, a retainer hook integral with said detergent holder, and abimetal strip attached at one end thereof from the machine, the otherend of said strip selectively engaging said retainer hook, whereby uponthe heating-of said bimetal strip it bends sideways releasing the hook,the holder thereby becoming free to pivot downward.

6. A detergent dispenser for a washing machine, com- -prising a cupshaped detergent holder means, means for pivotally mounting said holdermeans for movement about a horizontal axis, and bimetal strip meansengaging a portion ofY said holder means for maintaining it upright andfor releasing said holder means to permit movement thereof about saidhorizontal pivot axis to discharge its contents into said Vwashingmachineuwhen the washing liquid'in said machine has reached apredetermined temperature.V y ,g

References 'Cited by the Examiner Y UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,698,02212v/S4 -Fahnoe a 222-54 X V`2,997,206 8/'61 Vendegaer et al. f -..f v222--54 LOUIS J. yDEMBO, Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner.

6. A DETERGENT DISPENSER FOR A WASHING MACHINE, COMPRISING A CUP SHAPEDDETERGENT HOLDER MEANS, MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID HOLDER MEANSFOR MOVEMENT ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, AND BIMETAL STRIP MEANS ENGAGING APORTION OF SAID HOLDER MEANS FOR MAINTAINING IT UPRIGHT AND FORRELEASING SAID HOLDER MEANS TO PERMIT MOVEMENT THEREOF ABOUT SAIDHORIZONTAL PIVOT AXIS TO DISCHARGE ITS CONTENTS INTO SAID WASHINGMACHINE WHEN THE WASHING LIQUID IN SAID MACHINE HAS REACHED APREDETERMINED TEMPERATURE.